What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Smack vs Tab - What's the difference?

smack | tab |

As nouns the difference between smack and tab

is that smack is a distinct flavor or smack can be a small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade and often called a or smack can be a sharp blow; a slap see also: spank while tab is a key on computer keyboards.

As a verb smack

is to indicate or suggest something or smack can be to slap someone, or to make a smacking sound.

As an adverb smack

is as if with a smack or slap.

smack

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) smac, smak, smacke, from (etyl) . More at smake, smatch.

Noun

(en noun)
  • A distinct flavor.
  • A slight trace of something; a smattering.
  • * 1883 ,
  • He was not sailorly, and yet he had a smack of the sea about him too.
  • (slang) Heroin.
  • Derived terms
    * (l)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To indicate or suggest something.
  • Her reckless behavior smacks of pride.
  • * Shakespeare
  • All sects, all ages, smack of this vice.
  • To have a particular taste.
  • Derived terms
    * smack of

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) smack (Low German .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade and often called a .
  • Etymology 3

    From or akin to (etyl) ).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A sharp blow; a slap. See also: spank.
  • A loud kiss.
  • * Shakespeare
  • a clamorous smack
  • A quick, sharp noise, as of the lips when suddenly separated, or of a whip.
  • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To slap someone, or to make a smacking sound.
  • * (Benjamin Disraeli)
  • A horse neighed, and a whip smacked , there was a whistle, and the sound of a cart wheel.
  • (New Zealand) To strike a child (usually on the buttocks) as a form of discipline. (US spank)
  • To wetly separate the lips, making a noise, after tasting something or in expectation of a treat.
  • * 1763 , Robert Lloyd, “A Familiar Epistle” in St. James Magazine :
  • But when, obedient to the mode / Of panegyric, courtly ode / The bard bestrides, his annual hack, / In vain I taste, and sip and smack , / I find no flavour of the Sack.
  • To kiss with a close compression of the lips, so as to make a sound when they separate.
  • Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • As if with a smack or slap
  • Right smack bang in the middle.
    Derived terms
    * smack-dab

    Anagrams

    * ----

    tab

    English

    Etymology 1

    First attested 1607, of uncertain origin.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A small flap or strip of material attached to something, for holding, manipulation, identification, etc.
  • * 1993 , Irvine Welsh: Trainspotting , p 333:
  • He pulls off his belt, cursing as the studs catch in the tabs of his jeans.
  • (by extension, graphical user interface) A navigational widget for switching between sets of controls or documents.
  • (label) A tablet, especially one containing illicit drugs.
  • A fast march or run with full kit.
  • Verb

  • Mark with a tab.
  • (computing) To use the Tab key on a computer or typewriter to navigate the screen or page.
  • * 2010 , Chris Anderson, Pro Business Applications with Silverlight 4 (page 210)
  • You can prevent a control from getting the focus when the user is tabbing between controls by settings its IsTabStop property to False.
  • Short for tabulate.
  • Derived terms
    * keep tabs on * tabbed

    Etymology 2

    Apocopation (shortening) of tabulation.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (informal) A restaurant bill.
  • (slang) Credit account, e.g., in a shop or bar.
  • Put this round on my tab , will you, barman.
  • Short for tabulator.
  • (computing) A space character ((tab)) that extends to the next aligned column, traditionally used for tabulation.
  • Derived terms
    * pick up the tab

    Etymology 3

    Likely to have been formed by clipping the Geordie pronunciation of the word or alternatively from the brand name Ogden's Tabs .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (Geordie and Mackem) cigarette.
  • Giv'is a tab man!

    References

    *

    Etymology 4

    Shortening of tablature.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A form of musical notation indicating fingering rather than the pitch of notes, commonly used for stringed instruments.
  • Etymology 5

    Derived from the Latin Cantabrigia (often shortened to Cantab.).

    Noun

  • (rfv-sense)(slang) A student of Cambridge University.
  • Etymology 6

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (label) A tabloid newspaper.
  • * 1999 , George H. Douglas, The Golden Age of the Newspaper, p. 229:
  • * 2010 , Robert Lusetich, Unplayable: An Inside Account of Tiger's Most Tumultuous Season:
  • Anagrams

    * * * * English clippings ----